BaseballUCF rallies for 11-inning win

ECU junior T.J. Riles celebrates after scoring in the first inning against AAC foe Central Florida. (Photo by W.A. Myatt)

GREENVILLE — Charlie Yorgen gave East Carolina a 7-1 lead with a grand slam in the fourth inning but it wasn’t enough on Thursday night as Central Florida came back for an 8-7 American Athletic Conference win in 11 innings.

Rylan Thomas had a two-run single for the Knights (24-11, 3-4 AAC) with two out and two strikes in the top of the ninth to tie the score at 7.

Brennan Bozeman had an RBI single to right field with two away in the 11th to bring in Matthew Mika with what proved to be the winning run.

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ECU senior catcher and co-captain Travis Watkins meets with pitcher Jake Agnos during the first inning of Thursday’s contest with Central Florida. Agnos, a freshman left-hander, tossed four innings, allowing one run. (Photo by W.A. Myatt)

A single by Travis Watkins and a walk to T.J. Riles preceded a two-run error by UCF as the Pirates (19-16, 0-7) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

Spencer Brickhouse had an RBI single for a 3-1 ECU lead in the third.

Brickhouse went 3-for-5. Yorgen and Watkins each had two hits.

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ECU head coach Cliff Godwin expresses his frustration with the first base umpire over a close call on an Eric Tyler bunt attempt that would’ve plated a run for the Pirates. (Photo by W.A. Myatt)

Matt Bridges (0-3) was charged with the loss.

Eli Putnam was 4-for-4 with two doubles and two runs for the Knights. Bryce Tucker (2-0) pitched the last three innings to get the win for UCF.

The second game of the series is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. this evening at Clark-LeClair Stadium.